Apron and ejector control linkage for earth movers of the carry type



Aug. 28, 1951 Filed Feb. 15, 1946 L. L. HYLER APRON AND EJECTOR CONTROLLINKAGE FOR EARTH MOVERS OF THE CARRY TYPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. L. HYLERAPRON AND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR Aug. 28, 1951 EARTH MOVERS OF THECARRY TYPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 15, 1946 INVEN TOR. Z0/e//Lfiy/ev" L. L. HYLER APRON AND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR Aug. '28, 1951EARTH MOVERS 0 THE CARRY TYPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 15, 1946 BYWMM7 Aug. 28, 1951 L. HYLER 2,565,351

APRON AND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR EARTH MOVERS OF THE CARRY TYPEFiled Feb. 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ym/W Patented Aug. 28, 1951 APRONAND EJECTOR CONTROL LINKAGE FOR EARTH MOVERS OF THE CARRY TYPE Loiell L.Hyler, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignor to La Plant-Choate Mfg, Co.,; Inc.,Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application February 15,1946, Serial No. 647.7113

11 Claims. 1

My invention relates to earth movers of the type shown in my co-pendingapplication entitled Earth Mover, Serial No. 537,623, filed May 27,1944. In this type of device there is provided a wheel-supported mainearth containing bowl substantially closed at one .end by a pusher. Thisis movable through the bowl in a forward direction to discharge earthfrom the bowl over a leading cutting edge. Also there is provided afront apron, or auxiliary bowl movable from a lower position completingthe front end closure of the .bowl and retaining earth therein, and anopen or upper position in which the front apron is spaced a substantialdistance from the cutting edge of the bowl. In movin to open position,the front apron affords a relatively large opening through which earthcan spill from the front apron and through which earth contained in themain bowl can be expelled from the machine.

There are various manners of inter-connection between the pusher, thefront apron and the main bowl. The co-pending applicationabove-identified discloses one such means. Therein thefront apron isprovided with side arms connected by pivots to transversely oppositeides of the pusher I and is also connectedby a lost motion connection ofthe pivot and slot type, or by a direct pivot, to a pair of linksextending from the-apron arms forwardly to suitable pivot connections onthe adjacent side walls of themain bowl. There is also provided a cablemechanism, connected not only to the front apron but also tothe pusherin such a way that when the cable is tensione d the front apron islifted a portion of its total travel and by such motion conditions thepusher for forward motion in responseto continued pull and slot type ofconnection is believed to have disadvantages in that itis susceptible toclogging and allows some free motion of the front apron and of thepusher. The free motion permits shocks to be transmitted throughout thesystem h t e 10st otiqni slu d n vta e -imer substantial motion-ofthepusher-priortoa lar e apron openin is likewise believed ,to be.disadr vantaeeou i a i require w rk at Perf rm it and causes an initialunnecessary redistribution of the earth load-in themain bowl.

.It i he efore anob ect.o imy in ent nct rrc- :Vi'cle an improved intecn ec ins devis -fo joining the main bowl, the pusher, and the frontapronof an earth mover.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for affordinga substantial initial opening of the front apron of an earth moverwithout any consequential motion of the pusher and without thedisadvantages of an open slot connection.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a durable and ruggedmechanism for inter relating the pusher and front apron with the rest ofan earth mover.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained by the embodimentof the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Fig.1 is a side elevation of an earth mover constructed in accordance withmy invention, portions of the device toward the rear being broken awayto disclose parts of the interior in crosssection on a verticallongitudinal plane;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the central portion of an earth moverconstructed in accordance with my invention, a lower part of the mainbowl side wall being broken away to disclose the interior;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section, the plane of which is indicated by the line33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an isometric perspective showing a fragment of the linkageinter-connection in one position, parts of the structure being disclosedin section;

- Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive, are schematic diagrams illustrating inlongitudinal vertical cross-section the elementary parts of the earthmover linkage of my invention disposed in successive positions in thesuccessive figures.

In its preferred form the earth mover of my invention includes a bowlhaving a pusher movable therein and is provided with an apron movable toopen and to close the bowl. The apron is articulated on the pusher,preferably by a pivot connection, and is also related to the bowl by aduplicate linkage each including a pair of links;

ji. c. a primary link and a secondary link. The

lized in commercial practice substantially as shown in theaccompanying-drawings. .Since the machine is longitudinally symmetrical,for the most part only one side isshown. In the present embodiment thereis provided an earth mover having ,a pair of front ground-engagingwheels ,6 and a pair of rear -ground-engaging wheels 7 of the vehicle.

eration of the cable 2|.

supporting between them what constitutes the general, frame 8 of themechanism. Included in this frame is a front, yoke frame 9. A suitabledraft mechanism II is indirectly joined to the yoke frame and to atowing vehicle, not shown. The yoke frame 9 is connected by pivots l2 tothe side walls I3 of a bowl generally designated M. The bowl'isconsidered as part of a bowl frame included in the frame 8. Incorporatedin the bowl frame are not only the side walls, but also variousconnectors such as struts 16 extending to the rear axle I! for thewheels I as well as other appurtenances.

The bowl 14 includes a bottom 18, the leading edge i9 of which serves toengage the ground when the yoke frame 9 and the bowl frame are movedrelative to each other about the pivots l2. This is accomplished in afashion shown in the above-identified application by a control cable 21led over suitable sheaves 22 and effective to move pendant arms 23disposed on opposite sides Each arm 23 rides over a cam track 24 on theyoke frame 9 in response to op- Since the lower end of the arm isconnected by a pivot pin 26 to the leading edge of the side wall I3 ofthe main bowl, the cutting edge I9 is raised and lowered in response tooperation of the cable 2|.

In addition, there is provided a second cable 2? passed over sheaves 28and extending to a lever 29 connected by a pivot 3| to a suitablemounting on the yoke frame 9. The lever 29 carries a sheave cam 32 towhich is dead-ended an actuating cable 33. The other end of theactuating cable is fastened by a pin 34 to a front apron 36. This apronis substantially a transverse barrier effective in one position, i. e.the position shown in Fig. l, substantially to close the otherwise openforward end of the bowl [4. The front apron 36 is also designed to bemoved into an upper position so that the front end of the bowl is openfor the ready discharge of earth. For this reason, the apron 36 isprovided with a pair of side arms 38. Each of the side arms is connectedby a pivot pin 39, constituting a suitable articulation, to a carriage4|. This carriage is incorporated with a pusher 42 including atransverse rear wall which closes the rear end of the bowl and isdesigned to travel or move through the bowl forcibly to discharge earththerefrom.

The carriage for that reason is provided with guide wheels 43 and 44movable on the side walls of the main bowl and effective to constrainthe pivot pin 39 to rectilinear translation in a generally forward andrearward direction.

To actuate the pusher 42, advantage is taken of the cable 21 thatactuates the front apron. After passing over the sheave 28 in the lever29, the cable 21 extends over suitable guide sheaves along the frameworkof the machine until finally it is reeved through stationary pulleys 46and movable pulleys 47, respectively disposed on the framework and on atraveling stem 48 secured to the pusher 42 for movement therewith. Whenthe cable 21 is tightened, not only. is a lifting force exerted onthe'front apron, but likewise the tension tends to move the pusher 42forwardly. Forward pusher movement is opposed by a coil spring 49suitably housed in the rear framework and directly connected by acentral rod to the pusher. Thus the spring is compressed upon forwardmotion of the pusher.

As so far described, the earth mover is substantially identical withthat shown in the aboveidentified application. In accordance with thecurrent invention there is provided a special means for inter-relatingthe front apron with the bowl M. This special means also produces thedesired interaction between the front apron and the pusher, hence therelationships of the bowl, the pusher and the front apron areestablished.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a primarylink 6| extending generally longitudinally of the vehicle and at itsfront end connected by a pivot pin 62 to the main bowl side wall l3. Atits rearward end, the primary link 6|. as especially shown in Figs. 3and 4 is reduced somewhat in dimension and is provided with a plate-liketerminus received between the two side bars 63 and 64 of asecondarylinkSB.

There is provided an inter-connection between the plate terminus 65 ofthe primary link 6| and the secondary link 66 constituted by a pin 61carried by the bars 63 and 64 and passing through a suitable aperture inthe plate terminus 65. Counting the pivot 39 as the first pivot and thepivot 62 as the second pivot, the connection between the primary link SIand the secondary link 66 is a third pivot.

The secondary link 66 is connected to the side arm 38 of the front apronby a fourth pivot pin 68 passing through the link and through a pair ofdepending ears 69 and H on the arm. The pin 68 is preferably removablyheld in place by a fastening cotter 13.

In accordance with the present invention it is desired that the movementof the secondary link 66 with respect to the apron 36 be limited inextent and for that reason on each of the ears 69 and ii I provide apermanent stop 14 in the form of a block against which the correspondingone of the plates, say 63, of the secondary link abuts when the link issubstantially in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

Furthermore, it is desired in accordance with the invention to limit therelative motion of the primary link 6! and the secondary link 66 aboutthe pivot pin 6'1. For that reason the secondary link is especiallyformed between the side walls 63 and 64 by the provision of anintermediate plate 16, the upper portion of which is provided with oneabutting face H substantially at a right angle to another abutting face18. These faces point in the general direction of the pivot pin 61andare intermediate the pivot pin 68 and the pivot pin 61. Designed tocooperate with the faces 7'! and 18 are appropriate hook surfaces 19 and8|, respectively, formed on the plate terminus 65 of the primary link 6|so that while a limited relative rotation between the two links isafforded such rotation is stopped at selected points by abutment betweenthe surfaces H and 19 (shown spaced in Fig. 2 for clarity), as well asby abutment between the surfaces 18 and 8|. The operation of thismechanism isillustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive.When a force is first applied to the cable 21 to move the parts fromtheir closed position, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, there is primarilyexerted a force through the cable 33 upon the front apron 36 tending tolift the apron or to rotate it about the axis of the firstpivot 39.There is also a force exerted through the remaining portion of the cable21 and through the compound sheaves 46 and 4'! tending to move thepusher 42 forwardly. This force is transmitted through the primary andsecondary links which are initially in the position shown in Fig. 5. Insuch position, the primary link 6| is disposed so that the thirdpivot-61 is below or to one side of a anew straight imaginary line,designated 82 in 5 extending from the first pivot 39 to the second pivot62. The apron arm and the .6] form a primary toggle. Furthermore, thesecondary link 66 is disposed so that the stop 14 is in abutment with itand consequen ly the force exerted to force the pusher 42 forwardly isnot effective, because of the toggle, to produce any such motion.Rather, the superior force acting through the cable 33 .is effective tomove the third pivot 61 up to the imaginary line 82 and this motion iseffective to produce a slight rearward motion of the pusher 42 asillustrated by the distance D in Fig. 6. This motion is in the directioncontrary to the general direction of discharge of the pusher, but is ofan extremely slight extent, although the opening movement of the frontapron is appreciable. Continued tension on the cable 33 moves the frontapron from the position of Fig. 6 into the position shown in Fig. '7wherein the third pivot 6'1 has crossed the imaginary line 82, but thefourth pivot 68 is still below the imaginary line. Since there is also aforce exerted upon the pusher 4.2 tending to move .it forwardly, thestop 14 is still in abutment with the secondary link 66 but the pusher42 has recovered by forward motion a part of .its previous travel in areverse direction and now is separated from its original position byonly an insignificant distance E The motion of the pusher 42 from itsoriginal position through the distance D and back through the distanceto leave a net displacement E inconsequential insofar as moving theearth load is concerned, but the front apron has moved a verysubstantial distance toward open position.

As the forces are continued, the front apron in its further liftingmovement, as shownin Fig. 8, arrives at a position in which the fourthpivot 68 or lower pivot is substantially on the imaginary line 82. Theforward force is still exerted on the pusher 42 so that the stop 14 isstill in abutment with the secondary link .66 and the pusher 42 hasrecovered all of .its rearward mo,- tion and has returned to its initialposition, Simultaneously the faces 18 and BI abut, in effect uniting thelinks GI and .66.

Still further exertion of force on the cable 33 is effective to movethefourth pivot 68 above the imaginary line 82, as shown in- Fig. 9.Thisbeing true, there remains a secondary toggle made up of the apronarm and of the primary and sec--v ondary links considered as a unit andthis toggle is in broken condition just above the imagis nary line 82 sothat the pushes 42, is moved slightly forward from its onig-inalpositionby an amount F. This forward movement is not of a great consequence inandof itself. In effect the pusher, as shown in Figs-.5 to -9. hasrnovedpractically not at all, while the apron hasmoved; to a relatively wideinitial opening. Continued stress on the actuating cable 21 is finallyeffective to move the pusher 42 forwardly by an intermediate orrepresentative amount-for example, G-and to collapse the secondarytoggle further so that the front apron iii-is moved into a relativelywide open position. The. weight of the apron and the direction of "theforces acting are such that the primary and secondary links remain insubstantiallyabutted or locked -condition as shown in Fig. 10 throughoutthe remaining part of the discharge motion of the pusher, although thereis some additional opening movement of the front apron. The cable 33tends to slack toward the final part of the motion of the front apron,the sole lifting force being exerted through the pusher 42.

When the force on the cable 21 is removed the weight of the front apron36, or an external restoring force if desired, acts in addition to theexpanding action of the spring 49 to cause the parts to retrace thepaths of motion described and to follow in reverse sequence the steps ofthe motion illustrated in Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive, until finally theparts return to the position shown in Fig. l and in Fig. 5. In soreturning, the pusher and front apron are disposed with the togglepivots, or the third and fourth pivots 6'! and 69, both below theimaginary line 82 so that in effect the parts are gravitally locked intheir lowermost position.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a structure in whichthe slotted type of lost motion connection is avoided, in whichsubstantially no motion of the pusher takes place during the initial orpreliminary opening of the front apron, but in which the parts are allconnected at all times by joints such as pivots which are capable oflong life under abuse and are readily lubricated for relativelyprotracted operation. The net result is the provision of a greatlyimproved interconnection between the main bowl, the pusher and the frontapron of an earth mover.

I claim:

1. An earth mover comprising a bowl; a pusher mounted on said bowl formovement therethrough; an apron connected by a first pivot to saidpusher; a primary link connected by a sec,- ond pivot to said bowl; asecondary link connected by a third pivot to said primary link and by afourth pivot to said apron; and means for movingsaid apron to advancesaid third pivot and said fourth pivot successively across an imaginarystraight line joining said first pivot andsaid second pivot.

2. An earth mover comprising a bowl; a pusher mounted on said bowl formovement therethrough; an apron connected by a first pivot to saidpusher; a primary link connected by a second pivot to said bowl; asecondary link connected by a third pivot to said primary link and by afourth pivot to said apron; and a stop on said apron for limiting themovement of said secondary link.

3. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and toclose said bowl, a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therewithin,means pivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forcestending to move said apron and said pusher, and a pair of linkspivotally connected together and respectively pivotally connected tosaid bowl and said apron forming a pair of toggles adapted successivelyto restrain said pus-her during initial opening movement of said apronand to be successively broken to release said pusher for movement.

el. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open andtoclose said bowl, a .pusher mounted :on said bowl for movementtherewithin, meanspivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applyingforces tending to move said apron and said pusher, a pair of linkspivotally connected together and respectively pivotally connected tosaid bowl and said apron, means-for preventing pivotal movement of oneof said links relative to said apronduring an initial opening movementof said apron, and means for preventing pivotal movement of said linksrelative to each other during further opening movement of said apron.

5. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and toclose said bowl, a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therewithin,means pivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forcestending to move said apron and said pusher, a pair of links pivotallyconnected together and respectively pivotally connected to said bowl andsaid apron, and means for limiting pivotal movement of said links duringopening movement of said apron to provide a first pusher restrainingtoggle with the pivotal connection between said links forming the centerjoint thereof and to provide a second pusher restraining toggle with thepivotal connection of one of said links to said apron forming the centerjoint thereof.

6. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and toclose said bowl, a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therewithin,means pivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forcestending to move said apron and said pusher, and means interconnectingsaid apron and said bowl forming a pair of successively breakabletoggles for restraining said pusher against substantial movement duringinitial opening movement of said apron.

7. An earth mover comprising a bowl, an apron movable to open and toclose said bowl, a pusher mounted on said bowl for movement therewithin,means pivoting said apron on said pusher, means for applying forcestending to move said apron and said pusher, and means interconnectingsaid apon and said bowl forming a pair of successively breakable togglesfor restraining said pusher against substantial movement during initialopening movement of said apron, said interconnecting means beingeffective after both of said toggles have broken to cause furtheropening movement of said apron in'response to movement of said pusherthrough said bowl.

8. Apparatus for moving earthlike material comprising a main frame, abowl for containing earth supported by said frame, said bowl having anopen front," a movable apron for opening and closing the front of saidbowl, an ejector disposed within said bowl, means for raising andlowering the apron and for moving said ejector forwardly and rearwardlyin said bowl, an arm connected at its forward end to said apron andpivoted at its opposite end on said ejector, means for preventingforward movement of said ejector until said apron has moved upwardly apredetermined distance, said last means comprising a pair of pivotallyconnected links, one of said links extending downwardly from the pivotalconnection of said links and having its free end pivotally connected tosaid arm, and the free end of the other link extending forwardlytherefrom and being pivotally connected to said bowl, and stop means forlimiting the relative pivotal movement of said links.

9. Apparatus for moving earthlike material comprising a main frame, abowl for containing earth supported by said frame, said bowl having anopen front, a movable apron for opening and closing the front of saidbowl, an ejector disposed within said bowl, means for raising andlowering the apron and for moving said ejector forwardly and rearwardlyin said bowl, an arm connected at its forward end to said apron andpivoted at its opposite end on said ejector, and means for preventingforward movement of said ejector until'said'apron has moved upwardly apredetermined distance, said last means comprising a relatively'longlink and a relatively short link pivotally connected together, saidshort link extending downwardly from the pivotal connection of saidlinks'and having its free end pivotally connected tosaid arm, and thefree end of said long link extending forwardly and being pivotallyconnected to said bowl;

10. Apparatus for moving earthlike material comprising a main frame, abowl for containing earth supported by said frame; said bowl having anopen front, a movable apron for opening and closing the front of saidbowl, an ejector disposed within said bowl,'means for raising andlowering the apron and for moving said ejector forwardly and rearwardlyin said bowl, an arm connected at its forward end to said apron andpivoted at its opposite end on said ejector, and means for preventingforward movement of said ejector until said apron has moved upwardly apredetermined distance; said last means comprising a relatively longlink and a relatively short link pivotally connected together, saidshort link extending downwardly from the pivotal connection of saidlinks and having its free end pivotally connected to said arm, and thefree end of said long link extending forwardly therefrom and beingpivotally connected to said bowl, said pivots being so arranged thatwhen said apron is in closed position the pivot at the rearward end ofsaid long link lies below the line between the pivots for said arm andthe forward end of said long link.

11; Apparatus formoving earthlike material comprising a main frame, abowl for containing earth sup-ported by 'said frame, said bowl having anopen front, a movable apron for opening and closing the front of saidbowl, an ejector disposed within said bowl, means for raising andlowering the apron and for moving said ejector forwardly and rearwardlyin said bowl, an arm connected at its forward end to said apron andpivoted at its opposite'end on said ejector, means for preventingforward movement of said ejector until said apron has moved upwardly apredetermined distance, said last means comprising a relatively longlink and a relatively short link pivotally connected together, saidshort link extending downwardly from the pivotal connection of saidlinks and having its free end pivotally connected to said arm, and thefree end of said long link extending forwardly therefrom and beingpivotally connected to said bowl, said pivots being so arranged thatwhen said apron is in closed position the pivot at the rearward end ofsaid long link lies below the line between the pivots for said arm andthe forward end of said long link, and mean's associated with said linksfor limitingrelative pivotal movement between said links.

- LOIELL L. HYLER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,239,967 LowApr. 29, 9 1

2,275,601 Austin et al. Mar. 10, 1942

